Qualitative Research Lecture 3

what do qualitative researchers need to consider when collecting data

• the nature of the data they will collect

• how they will collect it

primary and or/secondary data

• existing data or text/documents/visuals

• data management plan and data sharing

what is an important aspect in qualitative data collection

the research question

how should one go about choosing a method for data collection 

one needs to choose a method that is appropriate to the research question 

what are the two important questions to ask once your research question is formulated

1. how am I going to collect the data

2. how am I going to analyse the data

how can you explore your research question

interviews, focus groups, diary studies, ethnographic studies, web-based data and media and text sources

interviews

a conversation with a purpose to explore participants’ experiences and subjective views

what are the different types of interviews 

• structured 

• unstructured 

• semi-structured 

semi-structured interviews

involves the preparation of a small number of questions relating to the issue of a researcher wants to study

what should you consider before the data collection at the start of your interviews

• preparing your research questions

• selecting participants

• interview schedule

• piloting the interview

what should you consider during the interview when collecting data

• building rapport with participants

• setting up and starting recording device

• start with more general questions and then move on to the specific/private questions

• do not guide participants towards any particular viewpoints

what should you consider after conducting the interview

transcription and relfexivity

transcription

verbatim - every word, sigh, laugh, grunt

reflexivity

• subjective and contextual factors

• relationship between researcher and participants

according to Berg (2007), what are his commandments of interviews 

1. never begin an interview cold 

2. remember the purpose of the study 

3. present a natural font 

4. demonstrate aware hearing 

5. think about appearance 

6. interview in a comfortable place 

7. do not be satisfied with monosyllabic answers - probe

8. be respectful 

9. practice, practice and practice more 

10. be cordial and appreciative

focus groups

an ‘interview’ that is conducted with a small group of people

what are the advantages of focus groups

• allow for naturalistic interaction - conversation style

• allow for flexibility in method

what are the disadvantages of focus groups

• it can produce a large amount of data

• transcription and analysis may be time-consuming

• challenges around scheduling time and place

• researcher needs to be skilled in order to moderate a focus group discussion - guide not dominate

diary studies 

involve asking participants to keep a diary in which they record their feelings, activities and experiences 

what are three ways which diary studies can be implemented

• diary completed at intervals predetermined by the researcher

• give participants a signal to indicate when to complete, e.g. ping

• diary completed in response to certain events

what are the advantages of diary studies

• the data provided allows an insight into events and experiences ‘as they happen’

• allows insight how events progressed over time

• reduced concerns around the accuracy of memory

what are the disadvantages of diary studies

• keeping a diary may alter the daily experiences and routines you want to investigate

• there is no way of ensuring that participants follow instructions closely around diarising

• differences in how much information is provided or how journalling happens

• drop-out rates are high in diary studies (time constraints)

ethnography

an approach to qualitative research that is concerned with experiences ‘as they are lived’

ethnographic studies

involves participant observation which is the method used to observe interactions as they unfold in their natural setting

what is required from researchers in ethnographic studies

to immerse themselves in the field for an extensive period

web based data 

collecting first-person accounts posted by individuals 

what are the advantages of web-based data

• it is often rich in detail and can be focused on a specific topic

• the anonymity allows people to speak freely and truthfully

what are the disadvantages of web-based data

• anonymity may allow people to lie about their experiences

• make accessible a wealth of data that researchers need to filter through

• views reflected are only those of internet users

what is an ethical consideration when conducting web-based research

those who posted will not have given their consent for their information to be used

what must you consider in web-based research

• the info is available on a public domain 

• the info is in a private chat group/forum 

• it is possible to contact those who posted and seek consent 

give another technique in web-based techniques

online interviews

media and text sources

involves the use of textual data that already exists

what is required when using media and text sources

an understanding of the contest under which the material was created - the sociocultural and historical context

what are the advantages of media and text sources 

• reduces the need to collect new data as materials already exist 

• no possibility that the researcher will influence the data 

• no need to recruit participants 

• allows for comparison and contrasting information 

what are the disadvantages of media and text sources

• the vast amount of media texts and sources and their ease of access

• this may lead to the temptation to use them even when unnecessary or inappropriate

• only very specific research questions can be researched using these methods alone